Peace And Truth Heals (PATH)
SUPPORTING IRANIAN WOMEN:
A "MAHSA" STATEMENT OF PRINCIPLE
Tree of Women, Life, and Freedom in and out of Iran
PLEASE SIGN THIS ANGUISHED HUMANE STATEMENT OF NONVIOLENT PRINCIPLE:
Support the Courageous Struggles of the Iranian Women, Demanding Equal Human Rights, Bodily Autonomy, and Freedom to Choose
This latest widespread (still unfolding) wave of "WOMEN, LIFE, FREEDOM" nonviolent street protests was sparked on September 16, 2022 near central Tehran, and it quickly spread to well over 100 other cities and towns in Iran, including many universities and colleges.
Such an spontaneous outpouring of enraged reactions followed the people becoming aware of the brutal post-arrest (so-claimed) "accidental killing" of (Zhina) Mahsa Amini.
She was a 22-year-old Iranian woman of Kurdish origin who had been forcibly taken into the harsh custody of the country's so-called Islamic "morality police" allegedly for violating the country's compulsory hijab, i.e., hair cover and dress impositions.
WOMEN, LIFE, FREEDOM
However, as of late September a brutally severe crackdown is being practiced by the Iranian security and governmental forces, including the severe restrictions they have imposed upon the people's access to Internet-based social media platforms such as WhatsApp and Instagram. However, some hope that new innovations such as the Starlink system may become operational in time to reconnect the freedom-seeking people of Iran to the world.
Sadly, it has been reported that the regime's very harsh repressive methods appear (so far) to have been able to dampen SOME of the initial flames of the protests. As of early October, such brutal security measures have included widespread killings, mass arrests and severe beatings (especially of students and some members of faculty and staff at major universities) and many other public and private intimidation tactics.
Despite all this, the nonviolent brave chant of "women, life, freedom" seems to be emerging as a dominant defining theme of the still unfolding uprising, now shouted from buildings and rooftops--especially after dark--somewhat reminiscent of the months before the 1979 Iranian Revolution.
OUR MESSAGE TO FELLOW ACADEMICS
A large number of scholars who for years have worked within the state-owned academic institutions inside Iran have courageously resigned in solidarity with this developing freedom movement, while many others are imprisoned and some have disappeared.
If you have colleagues or students in (or linked to) Iran, it is very likely that these events are causing them immense anguish and hardship, if not professional harm, and even physical danger.
Those of us who are scholars and academics outside Iran are obviously in awe of the courage that our colleagues are showing inside the country; but we are deeply worried even about the basic safety of them, and of their loved ones. Also we are constantly anguished about all the precious lives, especially those of Iranian women, who are at risk of real harm every day.
JOIN US / SPREAD THE WORD
Thus, we the undersigned, ask you to join us in heeding the voiceless calls of the tens of thousands of our fellow academics and students, as well as artists, athletes, social media personalities, and even former public officials. Such courageous people--especially inside Iran--have already signed or supported, so far, numerous "Mahsa" declarations, social media statements, public petitions, etc.
So, we also ask you, and all other people of care, to spread the word of this courageous uprising, and/or to participate in solidarity (if possible) in the peaceful demonstrations, gatherings, vigils, and memorials that may be happening near you in many parts of the world, either in person or online.
Please stand with the courageous but defenseless peace-loving people of Iran, who are chanting on these anguished days:
WOMEN, LIFE, FREEDOM!
WOMEN, LIFE, FREEDOM!
WOMEN, LIFE, FREEDOM!
Finally, and in particular, as conscientious people of science, knowledge, art, and thought, please support in any way you can this fragile nonviolent Iranian movement for peaceful change, because our Mother Earth is in dire distress.
WE THANK YOU.
